1. Tinikling
Tinikling is a traditional Philippine Foke Dance which originated during the Spanish colonial era. The dance involves two people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles in a dance. It is traditionally danced to rondalla music, a sort of serenade played by an ensemble of stringed instruments which originated in Spain during the Middle Ages.
2. Cariñosa
The cariñosa dance is a popular folk dance performed throughout the Philippines. It belongs to the Maria Clara suite of Philippine folk dances. These are so named in honor of Maria Clara, who was the main character in Jose Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere, ('Don't Touch Me'), about the colonization of the Philippines by the Spanish. In it, Maria Clara is portrayed as a noble and loyal woman, who after the publication of the novel in the 19th century became the female symbol of virtue for Filipina women. The cariñosa is a much-loved folk dance in the Philippines and the characteristic shy behavior of the female dancer is said to represent the mannerisms of Filipina women.
3. Maglalatik
All traditional dances tell a story. The indigenous Maglalatik dance of Philippines mimics the battle between the Christian and the Muslim Moro tribesmen. Maglalatik is also called as Magbabao where ‘bao’ means ‘a coconut shell’. It is an all–male dance with coconut shells used as props. The Maglalatik embodies the element of a battle, reconciliation and a prize as well. It is usually performed during religious processions at the town fiesta of Binan. It is also a mark of obeisance to the patron saint of the town, San Isidro de Labrador. A calm and elegant display of harmless weaponry, Maglalatik is a four part war dance, which the Moro had won technically. Let us discuss Maglalatik dance in detail.
4. Itik-Itik
Itik-itik is a mimetic folk dance in the Philippines. It originated in Surigao in Philippines. Itik-itik was discovered in this town by National Artist for Dance Francisca Reyes-Aquino. Originating from a dance called Sibay and performed to the tune of Dejado, the story was told that an expert young dancer named Cayetana at a barrio of Cantilan during a baptismal party had become so carried away with the rhythm that she began to improvise short, choppy steps similar to ducks and then splash water on their backs. The dance immediately became popular in the province for stage performances and social dancing. Later, Mr. Antonino Arreza, a native of Cantilan and a grandfather of Prospero Pichay, Jr. was believed be the one who compose the lyrics of Itik-itik